By breeding two purebred dogs to develop a new breed that exhibits the desired attributes from both parent breeds is the primary motivation behind the designer dog breeds. The resulting breed can be a much healthier dog or one that has both the physical traits of the parent breeds. One of those is the Bichon Frise Poodle Mix.
As the name suggests, it is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle. The Bichon Frise Poodle mix or Poochon is a charming small dog to own, from its teddy bear appearance to its sweet and cuddly personality. Having a low-maintenance breed, this little fellow is definitely a welcome addition to a family.
In a while, you will be welcomed to the world of Poochon, where you will find out if this designer dog breed can still be as jolly if left alone. Is this dog easy to live with? Can you take your Poochon out for a swim? Is it an expensive breed to buy? How will you know if a dog is a Bichon Frise or a Poodle? We’ll have answers to those questions later. In the meantime, find out the average size of this furry companion.
How Big Is A Full Grown Poochon?
Height Of A Poochon
How tall will a Poochon get? It can anywhere be from 9 to 15 inches. The taller ones can be from 10 to 15 inches while the smaller counterparts are from 8 to 10 inches tall.
We cannot give you the exact figure mainly because it is a question of whether the Bichon Frise was bred with either a miniature or a toy-sized poodle.
To give you an idea regarding the height difference, the miniature Poodle stands an average of 15 inches. On the other hand, the toy Poodle has an average height of only 10 inches.
Regardless of how tall they can get, all Poochons grow fast during the first six months. The taller ones should reach about 80% to 90% of their height at six months of age, while the smaller ones would have already reached their full size at that age.
Weight Of A Poochon
What weight should a Poochon be? The weight of the larger Poochons is anywhere from 10 to 18 lbs, while the smaller dogs are from 6 to 10 lbs.
Again, this difference lies in whether the parent Poodle is a miniature or a toy breed.
What Is A Bichon Frise And Poodle Mix Called?
As a designer dog breed, this pooch can be referred to by different names. Some dog lovers call them Poochon, and some of them refer to these dogs as Bichon Poo or Bich Poo. Lastly, these adorable pooches are also called Poodle Bichon.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Bichon Poodle?
How long do Bichon Poodles live? If properly cared for, they have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Yes, they may be gifted with long lives but it does not mean that they are free from possible health problems during their lifetimes.
Here are the common health issues Poochons suffer from:
Addison’s Epilepsy
This is a condition brought about by low levels of adrenal hormone production. These hormones are used by a dog’s body to correct the balance of salt, sugar, and water. The opposite of Addison’s disease is Cushing’s disease where there is an overproduction of adrenal hormones.
The symptoms to watch out for are irregular heart rate, lethargy, and dehydration. But, with the right treatment, like cortisol drugs, a dog inflicted with Addison’s disease can live a long and pain-free life.
Von Willebrand Disease
A bleeding disorder is brought about by a lack of protein that is essential in allowing the blood platelets to stick together and form blood clots when a dog gets injured.
Not all dogs show signs of this disease. In the majority of cases, the disease is only discovered when an injured dog undergoes surgery that results in non-stop bleeding and, eventually, death.
Vaccination Sensitivity
Though uncommon, there are Poochons who exhibit signs of post-vaccinations. The common and not dangerous of these are mild fever and lethargy. But, for some, it can be life-threatening, like anaphylaxis. In this case, titer tests are done for those that have shown severe vaccine sensitivity.
Other Health Problems Of Poochon
The other common health issues are patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, bladder, and skin problems.
How To Take Care Of Poochons?
Diet
We recommend a diet for your Bichon Frise Poodle Mix that is specifically made for small dog breeds with moderate to high energy levels. Stay away from dog foods that are made with fillers and meat by-products. Rather, check the label to see if the commercial dog food has passed the standards set by AAFCO.
When buying commercial dog food, be sure that it has loads of animal protein like chicken and beef. Read the label if it is made with fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the highly recommended food brands is the Pet Plate.
If you buy high-quality dog food, you will only need to feed your Poochon in lesser quantity because you are assured that your dog is eating a balanced diet.
You may want to give multivitamins like the B-vitamins which are essential for an active and playful dog. But, what you need to avoid is giving too much calcium. This is because of this pooch’s tendency to suffer from kidney disorders.
Exercise
This dog requires physical and mental stimulation to remain jolly. 20 to 40 minutes of exercise every day is enough. A walk in the park is one of the recommended locations. But, if you have a huge backyard, playing and chasing around is sufficient.
Dental Care
Since Poochons are also prone to dental disorders, it is a good idea to invest in dental water additives. These are similar to the mouthwash that you use, except that this can be mixed with your pooch’s drinking water. It’s another safe way of taking care of your pooch’s dental health.
Are Poochons Easy To Potty Train? Temperaments Of Poochons
Temperament
The Poochons are known for their lively, playful, and mild-mannered temperament. Are Poochons good dogs? Yes, they are so good that they can live peacefully with young kids without their parents’ supervision and having to worry about getting aggressive.
And, if you are a novice dog owner, this is a good starter dog for you because of its innate nature as a people pleaser. Poochons are also known to adapt well, be it in a house with a huge garden to run around or in an apartment.
They can be pretty vocal though, do Poochon dogs bark? Yes, but with consistent training, you’d be able to curb this behavior.
Separation Anxiety
Since Poochons love their human family members too much, they have a tendency to be depressed when left alone. Can Poochons be left alone? No, because they demand affection and attention. This is why this pooch is best owned by families that have at least one family member who is always present at home.
Trainability And Intelligence
If you are wondering how smart Bichon Poodles are, well, considering that they come from a Poodle parent who placed second on Stanley Coren’s list of intelligent dogs, there is no doubt that they are an intelligent breed. Thus, you should not have any issues potty training a Poochon.
How do you potty train a Bichon Poodle? Before taking it home, take it first to a dog park and wait for your dog to pee and poo. Do the same after meals. Another option is to use a dog poo pad at home.
Obedience training should be done while still a puppy. How do you train a Bichon Poo puppy? Encouraging words, belly rubs, and dog treats are the essentials.
How Often Do You Groom A Poochon? Grooming Tips For Poochons
Coat Colors Of Poochons
The most common colors of Poochons are apricot, white, and black. In most Poochons, the coat color is in a solid shade. However, it is not uncommon to see Poochons with a blend of colors.
Since they carry the Poodle genes, do Poochon puppies change color? Yes, it is possible, the coat could change color from lighter to darker or the other way around. This change in color happens at the age of 2 to 3 years old.
Do Bich Poos Shed?
Yes, Bich Poos do shed but not a lot. With the hypoallergenic nature of its coat, this is why this designer breed is the best choice if you have allergies.
Grooming Tips For Poochons
Though they are not heavy shedders, it does not mean that you should forgo grooming. How do you groom a Poochon at home? Here’s how:
- Carefully brush the coat using the FURminator Undercoat Tool. You can brush the coat all the way down to the skin because FURminator won’t cut the skin of your pooch.
- If the coat is heavily matted, use a detangler spray to remove the tangles.
- The recommended bathing is once every two weeks. Do not use your own shampoo for your dog, rather use the one formulated for dogs like the Seamus Cherry Blossom Whitening Dog Shampoo. This shampoo is gentle yet effective, making it a good choice for dogs with sensitive and dry skin.
- Dry the coat very well and then trim using a clipper or scissors to remove the matted or tangled portions.
- Don’t forget to remove the dark stains under the eyes. A warm cloth or tear stain removal product will do the trick.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Poochon Cost? The prices vary, as it actually depends on the breeder’s reputation. On average, the cost of Poochons is between $1,000 and $3,000. It is also worth noting that it is not cheap to care for a Poochon. You’d spend an additional sum, averaging $1,000 and $1,500 per year toward the caring of your Poochon.
Can Poochons Swim? Yes, in fact, most of Poochons love to swim, especially during the summer months. But, do exercise caution if you are walking your dog near watercourses, in case your Poochon does not show fondness for swimming. It is also best not to force your Poochon to undergo any water activity, lest, you’d end up scaring your pooch.
How Can You Tell A Poodle From A Bichon Frise? The size and the color are the primary factors in setting both the Poodle and the Bichon Frise breeds apart. Poodles come in different sizes, from toy to miniature to standard-sized Poodles. On the other hand, Bichon Frise comes in “small packages” only. Then, Poodles come in coat shades of white, black, and apricot, among others. Bichon Frise, on the other hand, comes mainly in white color.
